Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/18

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Subject: [Leica] Leica 400 2.8 vs Canon 500 f4
From: "Gary D. Whalen" <whalen@circle.net>
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 10:47:16 -0400
 
This is NOT a troll.

I presently shoot all Leica 35mm (R stystem).  My longest lense is the Leica 280
f4 and I have the 1.4 converter.  I am very happy with this lense but I want to
add a longer lense to my setup.

My question?

    The Leica 400 2.8 runs around $11,000.   The new Canon 500IS runs around
$7,500 plus I would need to buy an EOS 3 to use with the lense for a total cost
of around $9,000.

    My question to anyone with experience with these systems is do I stay with
all Leica or should I save some money + give myself a 3rd camera body and go with
the Canon?  My heart says to stay with Leica but I'm wondering if the autofocus
and lightness (Canon 500 weighs around 7lbs while the Leica 400 weighs almost
13lbs.) make a huge difference.

    Has anyone seen "side-by-side" comparisons of 35mm transparencies shot with
Leica long lenses vs. Canon long lenses?   I want to be able to make Ilfochromes
out of selected slides up to size 16 x 20.  I can do that with my Leica lenses so
far but am not sure about the Canon stuff.

    Thanks for your help.

    Gary